Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he will “have to accept” it if Philippe Coutinho leaves but expects the club owners to refuse to sell the player.

The midfielder submitted a transfer request after the Reds said he was not for sale and rejected a 100 million euros (£90m) bid from Barcelona.

Klopp suggested the decision was out of his hands as the “bosses will decide”.

Liverpool drew 3-3 at Watford in their opening game of the season, which Coutinho missed with a back injury.

Ex-England defender Danny Mills told BBC Radio 5 live that Liverpool should “bite the bullet” and sell the 25-year-old.

He added: “I don’t think Philippe Coutinho will stay at Anfield. He started with a statement calling for an amicable move, but four days later he submitted a transfer request. It is his dream move and I don’t blame him in the slightest.

“Ultimately, Coutinho will simply remain unhappy and Liverpool simply need to bite the bullet. The club has a £100m asset there, a player who may want to force a move.”